What is a TPS? (Throttle Position Sensor)
October 27, 2024
You know you have an accelerator pedal; step on it and your vehicle is supposed to go. But did you know there is a part in your vehicle that keeps track of where the throttle is? It's called the Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS.
The TPS is a sensor that helps your vehicle figure out the right mix of air and fuel is reaching your engine. It does that by keeping track of the throttle and sending that information to your vehicle's computer. Other factors play a role in how well your engine is performing, including air temperature, how fast the engine is turning over and air flow.
When the TPS isn't working right, you may find your vehicle won't accelerate or doesn't have the power you're expecting when you press on the accelerator. In some cases, it may accelerate on its own. Sometimes your vehicle won't go over a certain speed. Your Check Engine light may go on.
Any of these symptoms should be checked out soon. If your TPS stops working right, your vehicle may not be safe to drive. Fortunately, most vehicles have a "limp home" mode that will allow you to get off a busy road to a safe spot.
Your service advisor can let you know which TPS is the correct replacement for your vehicle. Your shop may have to re-program the new TPS so it works correctly with other software in your vehicle.
It's a fact of life these days that computers control many of a vehicle's functions. The sensors that feed information to those computers help make your vehicle work the way it was engineered to and keep you motoring down the road safely and efficiently.
Spartan Tire Brighton
4880 Old U.S. 23
Brighton, MI 48114
8102277377
Need Service?
More articles from Spartan Tire Brighton

The Untold Truth About Blinker Fluid: Why Your Car Desperately Needs It
May 10, 2026
If youve been ignoring your dashboard, your mechanic, and that one guy at the gas station who muttered bro your blinkers sound dry, then buckle up because today we dive into the critical world of blinker fluid maintenance. What Is Blinker Fluid? Blinker fluid is a high-viscosity, luminescent com... More

See the Light (Bulb Replacement)
April 15, 2026
When you notice one of your headlights has gone out, its important for the safe operation of your vehicle to get it changed and working again. Not only is replacing a headlight important for your ability to see in the dark, but its also vital that it be lighting your way and aimed correctly so o... More

Losing Your Cool (AC Condenser Replacement)
April 14, 2026
Its always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser. The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into... More
